A Lock of Milton’s Hair

In 1818, Keats wrote, “On seeing a lock of Milton’s Hair.” Leigh Hunt, another poet during this time wrote three sonnets after he viewed Milton’s hair.

These individuals had the opportunity to view Milton’s hair with poet and friend, Robert Browning; he carried around with him a small silver circular container with a divider; on one side was the lock of John Milton’s hair, and on the other a lock of Elizabeth Barrett’s hair.

Having a lock of someone’s hair was a typical way of saying you were fond of the person, or perhaps the lock of hair came from a loved one. The practice of cutting your hair and giving it to a friend was simply a tradition in Milton’s time.

This tradition did not change until the 19th Century when the cutting of a lock of hair was substituted by the autograph of a friend or famous person, a practice which is still around today.

Authors who read from their work lug books to each reading hoping some of those who listened to the reading will stay behind and purchase a book. Readings are normally local people in a town, city, or village, and most of them are strangers. The author always thanks the listener, and asks for their name. The purpose of knowing the individual is to make the signing more personal, to begin with their name, followed by a few words and signed. Bookstores have special stamps on the cover of each book telling the reader it is an autographed copy.

In the 20th century people still save a lock of hair from their children before a first haircut, and enclose it in an envelope and place them in a keepsake; a baby’s book. During the 50’s and 60’s parents saved their child’s hair in boxes, tied up in ribbons and bows and placed the box inside a cedar chest; also known as a hope chest for the unmarried. As before, people saved hair, and collect signatures from authors or famous people.

In the 19th Century, people began writing letters to famous individuals, asking for their signature on a photograph or drawing. They kept their fingers crossed that the drawing would be returned and not tossed away by some publicity agent. The nicest way of obtaining a signature is always in person, and it is becoming more common to have a picture taken with a famous person, you end up with two keepsakes.

Some famous individuals had a staff of people to take care of photos, signatures, and fan mail. The only time the real person signed his signature was when they received a drawing, print, or something he or she signed and the staff would mail it back, safe and sound. Signatures were now getting rare, and the electronic signature was born.

During the Romantic period, many small books of poems surfaced which were written for individuals and the signature would appear on the first page, these are collectibles, or if you were extremely close to the author, a small clipping of hair would be taped to the first page.

The act of giving of ones’ hair changed to life and death masks of those well known following the Romantic era. A cast of the faces of people would be made either while they were alive, or after death. Masks are on display of Keats, Washington, Lincoln and Napoleon at various museums around the world.

The tradition of the lock of hair continued after death. It was Napoleon who requested his hair be cut and bracelets be made for his wife, mother, son and other relatives. Napoleon’s wish was complete.

An unusual tradition began by Charles the II – the King of England from 1660 – 1680, when the King asked for his mistresses pubic hair. He kept gathering more and more hair until he had enough to have it made into a strap for his watch.

Many of you have visited Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington but perhaps never noticed his hair on display in nearly every room.

How did Robert Browning obtain the silver container with Milton’s hair? It was a gift from Pope Pius V who first gave it to K. de Kay Bronson – who recently moved to Italy. In return, she gave the silver filled container to Robert Browning, knowing how strongly he represented his work, and the work of John Milton.

Eventually the locks of Milton and Barrett ended up in New York City in 1933, at the National Auction Gallery from the American Collector Dallas Pratt who obtained all of items belonging to Keats.

The story of Milton’s hair continues to go on several trips, but it did come home, and in 1971 as a gift to honor those one hundred and fifty years after the death of Keats – Pratt purchased the silver container and the locks and presented it to a small art gallery in Italy.

A Lock of Milton’s Hair was last modified: December 26th, 2014 by Nancy Duci Denofio

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All writers are storytellers. Nancy recreates the craft of storytelling throughout a single day - as Author.Ghost Writer.Editor.Motivational Speaker.Advocate.Radio Host. Instructor.Seminars on Writing and working with groups - both large and small - specifics; presenting, organizing, and getting to know your own voice. Improving your presentation, in the business world or for the radio or performance point of view.
Twenty-five years, she explains, as a voice coach - defines storytelling and fashions a sentence into many worlds of different lands as I heard hundreds of voices. Her art lives inside and she sees it as a vessel traveling through her - as words on paper, voices in the air, or paint on canvas. Writing is the world around us and our personal experience. Nancy knows each day is a highway for a tomorrow. Each voice or word we hear - another story waiting to be told.
"Woman Writer of the Year" Notre Dame College - 1994 - Women in History Month. Nancy writes in several genres – her love is memoir, and non-fiction. She explains her lunch in detail, who is around her, and follows, explaining her great grandparents escaped their small town in Sicily or laugh, explaining how could her Irish grandmother have sixteen children. Everyday is structure for a tomorrow.
Nancy completed several novels as a ghostwriter, and will be finishing another this Spring, "Cursed Routes."
Her record - working on her own memoir - which has taken several directions through the years - is her biggest challenge. Although she calls it her memoir - it spans generations - 1800's to the present day. Some may wonder what could hold a readers attention? Far too much - so Nancy is considering cutting this story into three parts. Be sure to be on the look out for real life - from Sicily to America, enjoy the good and the bad - life never follows the straight and narrow.
Nancy has loved Free Verse, Poetry - Words - all her life. Her first chapbook "Just Another Day" followed by "Grandmother's Bleeding Hearts," and "What Brought You Here?" She has material to publish for many years to come; look for "Yesterday she Claimed Her." "Did You Ever Want To Fly."
Nancy had the privilege to speak out on health care for those individuals needing it the most in Boston, Philadelphia, Albany, Washington D.C., New Hampshire, and several other destinations. As an advocate, public speaker - motivational both in voice and heart - she made it to the White House. She believes, "When you feel strong enough about something, you never give up." She once had a goal; interview all Presidential Candidates, one on one, and she did - a few lasted over one hour.
She was Honored by President William Jefferson Clinton, for her work on “American’s for Disability Act.”
She spoke on the same stage with the late Senator Edward Kennedy concerning "Save Our Security."
She worked for those who are visually impaired. Volunteered for the Federation for the Blind.
She was a member of the Government Relations Com. for the National MS Society.
Nancy returned to N.Y. after three years in New Hampshire, to Saratoga Springs and she began working on the first Senate Campaign for Hillary Rodham Clinton, in her district. She continued to help when the Senator ran for President. She continues to speak out today.
She has kept her eyes on the Clinton Foundation, explaining, their goals match many of my own. And, she is excited to see another chance for a woman to fight for a seat, but not any ordinary seat, knowing it is time America does not judge anyone since we are all equal.
Nancy, born and raised in Schenectady, N.Y., and residing more than half her life in the city of Saratoga Springs. Married, and blessed with two daughters who blessed her with five grandchildren.
If you asked Nancy what a normal day would be? She would probably tell you -
"One thing a writer has is the gift of time. As I mentioned, storytelling happens all day long - did you see how many people waved leaving the bus on Broadway today? I guess everyday is a surprise." She reminds her friends, "an idle mind is for those who have no creativity in their veins." You may one day hear her say, "a mind is a personal cabinet filled with things to do, so don't let them run out."